As an honors attorney, you become an instant member
of the staff of whatever office you join for each
rotation. In most offices, you won't get a lot
of over-the-shoulder supervision; we look to hire
people who can take on work independently from the
start. Even in a four-month rotation, an
honors attorney can have a real impact on an
important issue.
Bob Ashby, Deputy Assistant
General Counsel for Regulations and Enforcement,
Office of the General Counsel
The Honors
Attorney Program an amazing opportunity to engage in
self-discovery without the expense or heartache of
choosing a field that seems highly desirable from
the outside, but once fully engaged does not quite
suit your personality or goals. The program
provides an opportunity for exposure in many
practice areas and to experience a variety of office
environments. An honors attorney's decision to
practice in a particular area upon completion of the
program will be more informed because it is based on
experience rather than theory or conjecture.
Linda Ford, former Assistant Chief Counsel for
Legislation and Regulations, Federal Transit
Administration
Honors attorneys assigned to airports law work have
provided strong intellectual firepower in short time
frames to complicated issues or issues of first
impression, greatly enhancing the performance of our
office.
Frank J. San Martin, former Manager, Airports Law
Branch, Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal
Aviation Administration
Nowhere will a new lawyer be challenged with greater
responsibilities and have the opportunity to do more
for the public good than working for the federal
government. For example, in my office, the
Honors Attorney Program lawyers investigate
deceptive airline advertising and pursue enforcement
to ensure that unlawful activities cease and civil
penalties are assessed as appropriate.
Sam Podberesky, Assistant General Counsel for
Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, Office of the
General Counsel
At the Inspector
General's Office we interact with the various
Operating Administrations of the Department of
Transportation and I am struck by the wide variety
of Departmental programs and regulations, and
their wide-spread impact on the country as a whole.
As a consequence, DOT Honors Attorneys
have the opportunity to rotate through
extraordinarily diverse legal practice areas.
I would also echo the observation of my colleagues
that one of the rewarding aspects of public service
is the opportunity to face greater intellectual
challenges and have greater impact early in one's
career. For example, DOT Honors
Attorneys rotating through the Inspector General's
Office have taken leading roles in responding to
Congressional requests to review complex issues
involving DOT programs and regulatory requirements.
Omer Poirier, Chief Counsel, Office of Inspector
General.
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